Rob Russell, technical consultant at Bostik UK, shares insights on innovation, sustainability, and what makes flooring products truly successful
When and why did you join the company?
Starting in June 2024 and having been in the industry for quite some time, I had already used Bostik products and they had never let me down. When I took a deeper dive into Bostik’s product offer, I was impressed by the vast range and how effectively the products could resolve issues. The technical resource gave me confidence, especially when a lot of money was at stake. I was, and still am, impressed with the heritage of the company and its continued research to deliver innovative products and techniques. Combined with its professional attitude and the people within the company sharing the same values and integrity, it truly makes a difference.
Why are your company’s products different than your competitors’ products and what’s the secret to creating a successful flooring product?
Bostik offers a complete system, backed by deep technical understanding of what customers need for preparing and installing floor coverings. Recent groundbreaking product additions highlight the significant time, investment, and ongoing research that provide all the ingredients for successful installations.
Bostik products stand out through its focus on ‘smart adhesives’ – combining strong adhesion with additional benefits such as durability, sustainability, and specialised functionality to meet evolving market needs. The company continues to differentiate itself through constant innovation, leveraging research and development to create technologies such as bio-based materials, low-VOC formulations, and solutions supporting the circular economy. In doing so, Bostik moves beyond simple sticking to deliver high-performance, functional, and environmentally conscious adhesive solutions.
What’s the secret to a successful flooring installation?
Ultimately, it comes down to well-trained flooring installers who continually develop their skills and knowledge to deliver the best possible standard of work.
Success also relies on understanding and collaboration between stakeholders, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Sharing information about the substrate, adhesive and floor covering – along with continually reviewing preparation product options – helps identify the best available solutions and ensures they are applied correctly.
What flooring trends are you seeing at the moment, and how do these influence your product development?
Environmental and sustainability considerations continue to drive change across the industry. Bostik has introduced innovative solutions that make it possible to recycle floor coverings without contamination from adhesive or smoothing compound. This also means the original subfloor preparation can often be reused, as it isn’t damaged when uplifting adhered floorcoverings – saving time and money.
Another key trend is the growing demand for faster installations. With completion dates often exceeding the time required for a cementitious subfloor to naturally dry out, moisture mitigation products are becoming increasingly important. At the same time, the continued advancement of calcium sulphate substrates is influencing how installers approach subfloor preparation.
Design trends also play a role. Floorcovering design and colourways are often selected first, with nature-inspired and more natural products gaining popularity. In addition, acoustic performance has become a higher priority, with more products incorporating sound-reducing properties or allowing additional layers to enhance performance.
Finally, with new-build homes in the UK no longer permitted to have gas boilers from 2025, underfloor heating systems – both electric and water-based – are becoming increasingly common. This shift directly affects adhesive and smoothing compound development, as products must perform reliably under changing thermal conditions.
Who, outside your company, do you most admire in the industry?
There are a number of companies within the flooring sector that demonstrate real craftsmanship and commitment to quality. For example, manufacturers such as CAT Flooring Accessories stand out for their high-quality, hand-finished products and their attention to detail. They listen closely to customer requirements, often providing mock-up services for development projects and offering bespoke on-site solutions.
It’s companies like these – those that combine experience, technical know-how, and consistent customer service – that continue to raise standards across the industry and help drive innovation.
www.bostik-profloor.co.uk